DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Carol Etherington, MSN, RN, FAAN
VANDERBILT SCHOOL of MEDICINE
Physical Diagnosis Course: Domestic Violence Syllabus
Spring, 2003
I.. GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Course Title: The Role and Responsibility of the Physician in Domestic Violence
2. Department: School of Medicine
3. Prerequisites:
4. Course Description: This class introduces the second year medical student to the
issue of domestic violence as a medical and public health phenomena that requires
health care practitioners to assume proactive and intervention roles to assist patients.
Prevention, intervention and follow up are covered with an emphasis on multi-
disciplinary approaches to care and treatment. The goal is to provide a comprehensive
overview of domestic violence as a health problem and increase awareness of the
significant and unique role physicians can undertake to address the problem.
5. Class Time: Monday and Thursday, 1:00-2:15 PM, March 12 - April 19, 2001
6. Class Faculty: Carol Etherington, MSN, RN, FAAN
Panel of Domestic Violence Victims and Community Providers
II. COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the conclusion of the class, the student should be able to:
1. Cite demographic and sociological factors attendant to domestic violence
2. Describe appropriate medical and psychological interventions in emergency
departments and other clinical settings
3. Analyze health care protocols for victims of violence
4. Understand inter/intra-generational cycles of violence and the impact on children
5. Discuss proactive approaches to prevention of domestic violence.
6. Identify community-based initiatives that serve victims and offenders
III. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Learning experience: Class format includes didactic lecture and class discussion;
students are expected to attend class and participate in general discussion.
2. Required reading: Selected handouts/articles distributed prior to class.
IV. READINGS:
1. AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs, Physicians and Domestic Violence:
Ethical Considerations, JAMA, June 17,1992.
2. AMA Council on Scientific Affairs; Violence Against Women: Relevance for
Medical Practitioners, JAMA, June 17,1992
3. Bergen, R.K. Wife Rape: understanding the response of survivors and service
providers, 1996. Pp. 11 -36.
4. Assessment Guidelines in Domestic Violence, Tennessee Medical Association
1994.